Faulkner: We just want to inspire people (From Swindon Advertiser)

Faulkner: We just want to inspire people

8:40pm Friday 20th July 2012 in Swindon Olympic News

IT WASN’T easy, but Swindon rhythmic gymnast Jade Faulkner insists the fight to just make it to the London Games will be well worth the effort.
The 18-year-old endured a rollercoaster of a ride just to reach the capital this summer, with her and the team originally looking unlikely to compete after narrowly failing to achieve the qualifying standard at January’s Olympic test event.
However their appeal against the decision was successful just two months later and since then Faulkner and co have been training hard to ensure their reprieve does not go to waste.
And with London 2012 being the first time Great Britain will compete in rhythmic gymnastics under the shadow of the Olympic rings, Faulkner admits she wants to put on a show to ensure the next generation have a far smoother ride than she did.
Faulkner got a taste of Olympic excitement at the official Team GB kitting out day at Loughborough University, and said: “The kitting out was really fun and I’m really looking forward to the Olympics now. I feel like a real Olympian with the kit on.
“I tried some things on twice just to make sure. I really noticed how helpful everyone was and how friendly and it just makes the Olympics feel a really positive experience.
“We’re just hoping to inspire some people to take up the sport and make the sport more high profile in the country. As long as we can inspire a few people, then that’s our job done.
“As long as we perform a clean routine and the best routine we can do, then we’ll be happy.”
Great Britain couldn’t have asked for a better setting to make its rhythmic gymnastic Olympic bow, competing in front of a home crowd at Wembley Arena.
And Faulkner hopes home advantage plays its part when all is said and done – especially with a few familiar faces in the crowd.
“It was really hard to get tickets, but my family managed to get a few, but maybe not enough for everyone,” she added.
“My mum and dad got some. I really could have done it without them, so it’s important that they’re the ones who come and watch me on the carpet, so I’m very happy.”
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